What Obama’s Letter to Khamenei Says About U.S. Policy Toward Iran

By

Michael Singh

Nov 10, 2014 1:07 pm ET

That President Barack Obama apparently wrote to Iran’s supreme leader regarding the nuclear negotiations and the U.S.-led campaign against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria is not, itself, of particular concern. The president is not incorrect in his reported view that it is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, rather than Iran’s more engaging and pragmatic president, Hasan Rouhani, who “will make all the final decisions on Iran’s nuclear program” and regional policies. And engagement is a tool; like most tools, it should be wielded when appropriate, in combination with other tools, in support of a strategy, toward sensible ends–not summarily ruled out.

What makes Mr. Obama’s missive troubling is what it suggests about his strategy and ends with respect to Iran.